By Martin Kluk, sports information intern
Stats: http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/baseball/2012/04-01-bb.htm
The Bluffton University baseball team was one hit away from clinching its first ever series victory over Rose-Hulman, but the Engineers were able to salvage game three thanks to back-to-back two out hits in the bottom of the 10th inning on Sunday, April 1, 2012. The Beavers slipped to 9-12 overall and 2-4 in the Heartland Conference, while RHIT improved to 14-5 on the season (5-1 HCAC).
Following three scoreless frames to open the game, Bluffton got on the scoreboard first when senior Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northwestern) doubled home Kyle Niermann (Napoleon) in the top of the fourth. The home team responded in the bottom half thanks to a pair of singles sandwiched around an Akard stolen base with two outs.
Four Rose-Hulman singles and a Pilipovich squeeze bunt added up to a pair of runs and a 3-1 Engineer lead after six innings. Bluffton knotted the game back up at three when junior Anthony Cianci (Ravenna/Southwest) picked up Tyler Wright (Troy) and Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer) with his base hit to center in the eighth.
Halen Core (Reynoldsburg) and David Ianiro (Highland Heights/Mayfield) shut Rose down in the eighth and ninth to send the game to extra innings. Ianiro retired the first two Engineers in the 10th before a Will Burchett two-bagger and Fulkerson RBI single ended Bluffton's hopes for a series victory at RHIT.
Niermann led the Beavers with three hits and he scored a run. Wright and Cianci chipped in with two safeties apiece and Cianci drove in a pair of runs. Senior Kelly Barnes (Toledo/Christian) continued to impress on the mound. He worked seven innings, allowing just three runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.
Bluffton travels to Defiance College on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. The first pitch by the rival Yellow Jackets is slated for 4 p.m.
